[Ilkka]

The frequency response stays within 6 dB in 16 Hz – 160 Hz range which is clearly better than with the previous SVS’ I’ve tested. It’s not perfectly flat but still reasonably good. The roll-off below 20 Hz is rather steep which means more group delay and ringing in that area. The frequency response starts to slope above 80 Hz which should be noted if much higher than 80 Hz crossover will be used. The maximum output is close to 105 dB in the whole 20-100 Hz range which is a respectable performance for a rather small 10” subwoofer. There is noticeable power compression around the tuning frequency and also in the upper bass range, and also some amount of audible “port chuffing” was noted during the highest sweep levels. PB10-ISD’s output limiters are very effective and won’t allow the user to hurt the subwoofer no matter how hard one pushes it.

PB10-ISD’s total harmonic distortion profile shows quite high THD levels in very important >40 Hz range. That’s where the bass in most music lies, so low THD there is important. Also around and below the tuning frequency THD grows rather large, topping at around 40% during the 105 dB sweep. The group delay stays very low down to 30 Hz but grows rapidly below, exceeding the 1 cycle limit at 27 Hz. The sudden and abrupt change in phase may be heard as slightly delayed lowest notes. The spectral decay graph shows around 200 ms of ringing around 20 Hz range which is right above the steep slope in frequency response. Everywhere else the signal decays very quickly.

The SVS PB10-ISD has a good overall performance for its price. There are some weaker areas such as distortion and group delay, but maximum output in 20-100 Hz range is pretty exceptional for a 10” subwoofer. The enclosure is rigid but has a sort of an industrial outlook.

+ Relatively flat frequency response
+ Good extension
+ Really good output for a 10” subwoofer

- High distortion at high output levels, especially above 40 Hz
- High group delay and slow decay rate at low frequencies
- Some port chuffing at high output levels
- No crossover